2007+Writing+Prompts

Emily Koch Writing Prompt SCKWP 2007

I was walking along an ocean beach one hot summer day. In the distance, I saw a man who was doing a strange dance, bending over again and again. As I got closer, I saw that he was picking up starfish that had washed up on the shore and was throwing them back. I asked him, "Why are you throwing those starfish into the sea?" He replied, "The tide is going out, the sun is hot, and if I don't, they will die here." I asked him why he was doing this since the beach was miles long and there were thousands of starfish and the few he threw back wouldn't make any difference.

The man paused with a starfish in his hand. He looked at it, than looked out at the ocean. He tossed the starfish out and said, "Made a difference to that one."

Teachers make a difference everyday and we often feel that we are standing on a hot beach throwing one starfish at a time back in the sea. Write about that special starfish, the student that you threw back into the sea who probably wouldn’t have made it without you.

Linda Jackson Writing Prompt SCKWP Summer 2007


 * Poetry in Motion (a living anthology)**
 * This prompt comes from reading about teaching poetry and the accessibility to poetry. It is usually in books, on the library shelf, or tucked away in some quiet place. So some New York poets decided to write for the subway, the buildings, windows, and yes, even bathrooms. They gave an address to write to if you liked the poem and one would be sent to you. Today a webpage or blog would be an exciting way to send poems. It would be exciting to write for all kinds of things in the school. Words and ideas are what we use as the "coin of the realm", so why not inundate our schools with students’ words? What could be more powerful?**


 * Quiet**
 * By Myra Cohn Livingston**
 * QUIET**


 * it says**
 * in the library**


 * QUIET**
 * and what I want to know is**


 * what’s quiet**
 * inside the books**
 * with all those**
 * ideas and words**


 * SHOUTING?**


 * Find a place where people may line up to wait and write a poem for them to enjoy. Or a place where people might sit or work. Write any kind of poem you like, in any way. Let your voice shine through!

When the student has shared, edited and written the poem in final form, post it near the object or idea of the poem for all to read. This can be an on going poetry project because the poems will need to be changed periodically.**


 * Buhler site's writing prompts:**

"Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side that he never shows to anyone." Mark Twain

Where were you when.............. (9/11) (Explosion of the Challenger) (Assassination of JFK) (Assassination of Martin Luther King)

A day in the life of an orange....what happens to you? Are you hanging from the tree branch? What do you see? Are you going to be juiced? How does it feel? Think of the adventures that you might have as an orange.

You are given $100,000 to give away. You cannot spend it on yourself. What would you do with the money?

Finish the statement: The qualities of a best friend are...

Which amusement park ride best describes your life?

Who is your worst enemy (not human)? Is it hatred? procrastination? fear? embarrassment? anger? Explain.

If you were any animal of the animal kingdom, which one would you be? Which one has similarities to you in temperament and characteristics?

Bring in a collection of different types of hats (garage sales great place to get unique objects). Have students select one and create a story or write a personal narrative that the hat brings to mind. Toys and shoes are also great for this.

I have an "elegant" container into which I have put fireplace ash. I bring this into class and set it on the desk, and then tell my students that my husband and I have renovated several old houses. It is amazing what some people leave behind. (True ) Write a story about what is in the container. (This is especially effective when I have the container in a bag from a crematorium. Lost mine Afterwards, we can discuss jumping to conclusions when just a little info is given. (Must be careful of the timing of this.)

Give students recycled folders. Have them draw a map of their school while in 1st grade/ 5th grade any preceeding year. Have them mark places where memorable events occurred. Pick one to write about. This can obviously be used for several different prompts and the folder can also be a place to store writing.

Frederick Douglass said, "There can be no freedom without education." Is this still true? Give reasons for your answer.

Every generation is subjected to the education "horror" stories of their parents "When I was in high school, we had to ...." How does your school experience differ from that of your parents; your grandparents? What "horror" story will you tell your children when they start complaining?

Imagine you are living on a cloud. What will your life be like? Describe what you see, hear smell, taste, and touch.

Close your eyes. Think of a place you would like to be at this very moment. (Keep it G-rated, please.) In your mind's eye, imagine everything you can see in this place. Listen. What can you hear? Reach out your hand. What are the textures you feel? Breathe deeply. What scents and tastes can you observe. Remember, not all taste is food. Now, in your imagination, turn a quarter turn to the right. What do you see? What do you hear, taste, smell, and touch? Turn another imaginary quarter turn. What do you observe here? Turn one more time. Again, what can you see? What can you smell, taste, and touch? In your mind, return to the front. Open your eyes and write about this place.

Slowly, you awaken from a deep, restful sleep. Reaching your arms high over your head you stretch like a cat. As you gradually open your eyes and become aware of your surroundings, you feel something in your left hand. Curious, you open your hand and look. In it, you find a beautiful golden key. What is the key for and what does it open?

After serving students Oreo cookies to eat, have them "Walk-Pair-Share" to verbalize the step they underwent to eat the cookie. After sharing with and listening to several student partners, have them return to their desks to write the step required for eating an Oreo. (This is technical writing in the primary grades.) Brainstorming a list of words we might want to use will be necessary with younger students. The following day, have students take turns reading their directions to a partner, who must eat the cookie according to their written directions. Follow with a class discussion of what was misleading or confusing in the directions read aloud. Give time for students to revise their directions.

Recall an event that happened to you. One that when ever you recall it, brings uncontrollable laughter to you and all who have heard the story. Write that story to share with us.

Think of all the stories you have heard from your Grandparents. Recall a story they have told about your mom or dad as a child. Retell that story in writing and share anything the story may reveal about your parent as a child/person.

Write a description of the distant development, the unleashing and passing on of a powerful Kansas thunderstorm at day's end.

Share a story that exemplifies a huge personal risk that when taken, ended with a positive result.

Share a story of faith; tested, failed and restored.

Recall a time when you were very frightened. Tell us the story of that time, where you were, what you saw, heard, smelled, felt or touched, and if appropriate, what you tasted. Help us feel you fear with the words you choose. Recall something you did with you mom or dad that was the best time you've ever had being with them. Write about what you did, where you were and why it is so special to you. If you had fifteen minutes alone with the president, and you were the only teacher representing all teachers, what would you say to him? If you could change one thing in education, what would you change?

Display a photograph, generate a class list of nouns pictured in the photo and have students write a story from the view point of one of those nouns.

Write a letter to someone for whom you are grateful. Share your feelings of gratitude for having them in your life and tell them any other thoughts you might wish to share.

Write about your most embarrassing moment as a child, as a teenager, as an adult, as a parent, as a teacher

Choose a personal characteristic such as honesty, courage, faithfulness, integrity, persistence, creativity… Describe someone you know who exemplifies that characteristic.